Whether it’s a dresser you’ve had for years or a distinct chair you found in an antique store, there are a handful of innovative ways to breathe new life into worn-down furniture. One of the most common materials you’ll face when refreshing old pieces is wood, which can quickly be changed into something gorgeous with nothing more than a coat of paint.
” Painting or repainting your furnishings isn’t simply an economical way to personalize your home, refurbish tired furniture, or camouflage visual damage,” says Annie Sloan, paint and color professional, and developer of Chalk Paint Annie Sloan. “It’s a way of living, declining the buy more, buy brand-new, buy now culture, and accepting hands-on, diy, innovative expressionism.”
The very best part? The procedure of painting wood furnishings looks the very same across the board, suggesting you can use the necessary materials for more than simply one task– whether it’s a desk, chair, cabinet, or vanity, the exact same steps apply.
The Materials You’ll Need
You’ll need a few basic tools and products in order to finish this task effectively:
Drop cloth
Painter’s tape
180- and 220-grit sanding sponges
Wet fabric
Primer
Paint
Paint brush
Security mask
Sealant
Kind of Primer
In addition, furnishings that has actually exposed wood, chalking, or cracked paint requires an oil-based guide. Sloan likewise notes that you need to utilize water-based guide if you’re utilizing water-based paints, and varnish-based products if you’re utilizing varnish-based paints.
Kind of Paint
Experts suggest utilizing chalk paint, which is also referred to as chalk-finish or chalking paint. It’s a simple and elegant way to enhance and transform your furniture, says Gary McCoy, Lowe’s shop manager serving the Charlotte, N.C. market. “Different from blackboard paint, it’s a latex paint that has a great powder contributed to the mix to create a distinct matte surface,” he says. “The brushstroke and imperfections become part of the distinct look.”
Type of Paint Brush
The range of paint you use will likewise determine the type of paint brush you reach for. “Use a synthetic-bristle brush for latex paint and a natural-bristle brush for oil-based paint,” says McCoy.
How to Prepare Furniture for Painting
Before dipping your brush into paint, there are a couple of actions you require to take to ensure your wood furniture is all set for the task.
Remove Drawers and Hardware
First things first, start by getting rid of drawers, loose racks, and hardware from your furniture. If you wish to paint the interior, this is also the time to get rid of the back of your piece, if possible. “If you see screws on the inside front of a drawer box, the drawer may have a removable front piece that’ll be much easier to paint than the entire drawer,” says McCoy. “So get rid of the screws to see if the front can be raised totally free. If you have more than one drawer with a removable front, ensure to label the fronts and drawers to assist with reassembly.”
Sand Your Wood Furniture
Place the furniture over a tarp or drop fabric to capture debris and paint as you work. If you’re working with a surface that has an existing finish that’s already smooth, McCoy states to sand with a 220-grit sanding sponge, then to wipe tidy with a damp cloth. “Otherwise the particles will collect and show through the paint.”
Include Primer
As soon as your piece is sanded and wiped clean, block off any areas you do not desire painted with painter’s tape– like hardware and hinges you can’t quickly remove. Next, placed on a face mask to secure yourself from fumes and add your guide. “Whether or not you require to prime depends on the type and condition of the surface. Constantly prime and sand bare wood or damaged surface areas that have been covered,” McCoy says.
Once it has the first coat of guide, sand the surface area with a 220-grit sanding sponge and wipe tidy. Apply a 2nd coat of prime, if essential, to make sure a smooth base for your paint.
How to Paint Wood Furniture
At this moment, your piece must be sanded, primed, and laid over a drop cloth, which implies you’re lastly ready to paint. Wait to remove your protective face mask till the project is total.
Add Paint
Dip your paint brush into your paint and start by brushing back and forth, just enough to spread out the paint and constantly in the direction of the wood grain or along the length of a previously painted surface area. “Hold the brush loosely in your hand and move from your armpit rather than your wrist or elbow to allow for huge broad strokes,” Sloan states. “The number of coats needed will depend on the surface area you’re painting, the thickness with which you apply the paint, and the color you’ve picked.”
Repair Any Flaws
After the very first coat of paint is applied, McCoy states to check for drips and runs. “If you find one after the paint has dried thoroughly, make sure to thoroughly sand it off,” he states. “If you see paint collect on your sandpaper, stop instantly to keep paint from scratching the surface.” When the surface area is dry and you’ve sanded off any defects, include another thin coat to hide the repair work. “A painted surface area that feels dry to the touch may not be all set for sanding or recoating, so closely follow producer suggestions for drying times,” McCoy says.
Seal the Paint
Although adding sealant is an optional step, Sloan suggests sealing chalk paint once it’s dry due to the fact that it’s a water-based item and could transfer if not protected. “Use clear chalk paint wax, matte, or gloss chalk paint lacquer, and apply over the whole painted surface area,” she states. When dry, you can replace any eliminated drawers and hardware.
